Marking System, Honor Roll, and Credit System

Marking System All quarterly grades will be entered as a numerical value based on an 0-100 instead of the letter values A-F. For informational purposes, the numeric grades will convert to the following letter grades: A+ 97 - 100 A 94 - 96 A- 90 - 93 B+ 87 - 89 B 84 - 86 B- 80 - 83 C+ 77 - 79 C 74 - 76 C- 70 - 73 D+ 67 - 69 D 64 - 66 D- 60 - 63 F 0 - 59

Honor Roll The school recognizes scholarship by announcing a scholastic/vocational honor roll at the end of each marking period. Students who receive no grade below 70 in any subject may be eligible for the honor roll. First Honor Roll for a grade point average of 94 or better; Second Honor Roll for grade point average of an 87 and Third Honor Roll for a grade point average of an 84.

Credit System
Grade 9 - Exploratory Program - Class of 2010 Subject Periods/two- week cycle Credits Vocational Shop/Related 40 10.0 English 10 6.0 Language Arts 5 2.0 Math 10 6.0 Science 5 3.0 Intro to Engineering Design 5 3.0 U.S. History I 5 3.0 Physical Education* 5 1.0 Health Education* 5 1.0 Academic Academics 5 2.0 Developmental Skills 5 2.0 * one semester course	Grade 10 - Class of 2009 Subject Periods/two- week cycle Credits Vocatinal Shop/Related 40 20.0 English 10 6.0 Language Arts 5 2.0 Math 10 6.0 Science 5 3.0 Digital Electronics 5 3.0 U.S. History II 5 3.0 Physical Education* 5 1.0 Health Education* 5 1.0 Applied Academics 5 2.0 Developmental Skills 5 2.0 * one semester course
Grade 11 - Class of 2008 Subject Periods/two- week cycle Credits Vocational Shop/Related 40 20.0 English 10 6.0 Language Arts 5 2.0 Math 10 6.0 Science 5 3.0 Principles of Engineering 5 3.0 World Cultures and Geography 5 3.0 Physical Education 5 2.0 Applied Academics 5 2.0 Selective/Related 5 2.0	Grade 12 - Class of 2007 Subject Periods/two- week cycle Credits Vocational Shop/Related 40 20.0 English 10 6.0 Language Arts 5 2.0 Math 5 3.0 Science 5 3.0 Computer Integrated Manufacturing 5 3.0 Engineering Design & Development 5 3.0 Psychology 5 3.0 World History 5 3.0 Selective/Related 5 2.0 Physical Education 5 2.0 Applied Academics 5 2.0

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Choose Smith Vocational

VISIT:
Observe Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School students in action. Get acquainted with instructors. Check out the modern facilities and equipment. Students may visit Smith Vocational individually or in a group. Smith Vocational also holds an open house in March.

ELIGIBILITY:
Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is an independent vocational school overseen by a Board of Trustees. Three are Board members elected by the citizens of the City of Northampton and two are ex-officio members. It is a public high school for those students who reside in Northampton. Every applicant for the ninth grade must be eligible for promotion from grade eight and have successfully passed English and mathematics, according to the standard set by their school district. Applicants for upper grades must have earned the graduation credits required for that grade placement.

Students from the following Hampshire County towns/districts are accepted on a tuition basis: Amherst Regional, Central Berkshire, Easthampton, Gateway Regional, Hadley, Hatfield, Hampshire Regional, and Mohawk Regional. Students from other districts and/or counties may be accepted if there is space available. The town of residence provides high school tuition and transportation.

APPLY:
Students and their parents/guardians must fill out the application included in this booklet or contact the Smith Vocational Guidance Department directly for additional applications. The completed application must be returned to the student’s eighth grade counselor. The counselor then prepares a packet for each applicant and forwards it to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. The counselor must also notify the student's local school superintendent of the application. The application materials must be received before the end of March.

CALL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact our Guidance office for further information, to set up a tour, or to talk about the opportunities available to you at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. Our phone number is (413) 587-1414 ext 113.

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Resources

School Department Resources at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 587-1414
Resource	Name	Phone
Superintendent/Director Principal Dean of Students Business Manager Campus Technology Coordinator Curriculum Coordinator Special Education Coordinator Agriculture Cluster Coordinator/Lands Manager Guidance Counselor/Recruitment Coordinator Guidance Counselor/Co-op Coordinator Adjustment Counselor Adjustment Counselor Tech Prep Site Coordinator School Nurse Attendance Officer Facilities Manager Athletic Director	Frank Llamas, Ed.D. Veronica Carroll Michael Quinlan Nancy Roberts Donna Sroka Arthur Apostolou Linda Bisaillon John Szafranski Joseph Laino Kelly O´Leary Scott Andrew Annabel Bradford Richard Prée Patricia Weller Maureen Dwyer Tim Smith Edward Shaughnessy	x106 x100 x103 x105 x119 x160 x114 x110 x113 x113 x124 x151 x155 x118 587-1489 x120 x300

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Admissions

Many opportunities are provided for potential students and their families to learn about vocational/technical and agricultural education and the admission process at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School:

• Informational presentations are offered to eighth grade classes in local schools.



• Campus tours are scheduled for interested students with sending district Guidance Counselors (individual tours may also be scheduled).

An Open House is scheduled during the month of March to provide an opportunity for prospective students and their families and sending school staff to learn about all of the vocational/technical and agricultural programs offered at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School.

Any eighth grade student who is a resident of Hampshire County who expects to be promoted to grade nine is eligible to apply for admission to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. An admission process is in place to accommodate the possible needs and/or interests of all applicants and to determine which applicants may most benefit from the educational opportunities at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. Although ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students follow the same procedure to apply for admission, space availability may be a limitation in some programs. It is important for all applicants to grades nine through twelve at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School to refer to the selection criteria contained in the Admission Policy.

Applications for admission may be obtained from the local school Guidance Counselor. In all school districts except Northampton, the local school Guidance Counselor notifies the sending school Superintendent which students have applied to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and forwards those applications to the sending school application. Since the cut off date for applications vary by school district, please check with your local Superintendent’s office for the application deadline in your school district.



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ADMISSION POLICY

Introduction
An admission process is necessary in vocational/technical schools where space is a limiting factor. Vocational/Technical and Agricultural shops are designed and equipped to safely serve a specific maximum number of students. Vocational/Technical and Agricultural shops lack both the space and flexibility to accommodate the possible needs and/or interests of all applicants. Therefore, a selection process is necessary to determine which applicants may most benefit from such educational opportunities. All applicants to grades nine through twelve at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School will be evaluated using the criteria contained in the Admission Policy. Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees approved this policy on February 15, 2005.

Equal Educational Opportunity
Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School admits students and makes available to them its advantages, privileges and courses of study without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability in all aspects of employment and education.

If there is a student with limited English proficiency, a qualified representative from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School will assist the applicant in completing the necessary forms and assist in interpreting during the entire application and admission process upon the request of the applicant.

Disabled students may voluntarily self-identify for the purpose of requesting reasonable accommodations and assistance during the entire application process.

Information on limited English proficiency and disability submitted voluntarily by the applicant, for the purpose of receiving assistance and accommodations during the entire application and admission process, will not affect the admission of the applicant to the school.

Eligibility Any eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade student who is a resident (i.e. lives with his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) or other relatives, by themselves, or in a foster or group home or in virtually any other living situation) of Hampshire County who expects to be promoted to the grade they seek to enter is eligible to apply for fall admission or admission during the school year subject to the availability of openings at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. Resident students will be evaluated using the criteria contained in the Admission Policy. Priority for admission is given to Northampton residents according to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Agreement. Should the total number of Northampton students exceed the number of openings within Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, the criteria in the "Selection Process" will be in place. The total number of ninth grade students admitted annually will not exceed 150 students unless approved otherwise by the Board of Trustees. The total number of non-Northampton students accepted may change from year to year, depending upon the number of Northampton applicants. Students who are not residents of Northampton are eligible to apply for fall admission or admission during the school year subject to the availability of openings at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School provided they expect to be promoted to the grade they seek to enter by their local district. Non-resident students will be evaluated using the criteria contained in this Admission Policy.

Transfer students from other vocational technical schools are eligible to apply for fall admission or admission during the school year to grades 9-12 at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School provided they expect to be promoted to the grade they seek to enter by their current school. Transfer students will be evaluated using the criteria contained in this Admission Policy.

Organizational Structure Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is a public independent vocational/technical and agricultural school overseen by a Board of Trustees elected by the citizens of the City of Northampton. We are obligated to accept students that wish to enroll who reside in Northampton and who meet promotional requirements to grade 9 including passing English and mathematics. Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. We are committed to providing quality vocational/technical and agricultural programs.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School to supervise the administration of the policies and procedures required to admit and enroll applicants in conformity with this Admission Policy.

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School has an Admission Counselor appointed by the Superintendent. The Admission Counselor’s duties include but are not limited to:

• Development and implementation of admission procedures
• Processing of applications
• Acceptance of students according to the procedure and criteria in the Admission Policy
• Establishment and maintenance of a waiting list of acceptable candidates
• Disseminating information about Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School through local school assemblies and press releases
• Collecting applications from the local schools

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School does not participate in the School Choice Program.

Recruitment Process
Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School disseminates information about the school through a variety of methods.

• Fall visitations with an informational presentation to eighth grade classes in local schools by Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School staff under the direction of the Admission Counselor
• Scheduled group tours for interested students conducted by the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Admission Counselor in conjunction with sending district Guidance Counselors
• An Open House scheduled during the month of March. Prospective students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) and sending school staff have an opportunity to visit all vocational/technical and agricultural programs and speak with teachers and administrators as well as view a presentation about all academic and shop offerings
• Individual visits scheduled by prospective students/parent(s)/guardian(s) at a mutually convenient time
• Distribution of brochures during the eighth grade visitations and at the annual Open House, describe vocational/technical and agricultural programs including academic courses, sports, cooperative work education, and special education services and programs

APPLICATION PROCESS

For admission to the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades

Students interested in applying to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School for admission must:

• Obtain an application from the local school Guidance Counselor as early in the school year as possible
• Return the completed application form to the local school Guidance Counselor by the deadline set by the Guidance Counselor
• Schedule and attend an interview at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. If the applicant or parent(s)/guardian(s) cannot provide transportation, a representative from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School will go to the local school to interview the applicant

It is the responsibility of the sending school Guidance Counselor of the local school to:

• Complete the Guidance section of the application form including, when applicable, the non-resident application
• Forward the completed application form to the Admission Counselor at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School by April 1

A complete application includes:
• For applications to grade 9 (fall admission), the average of grade 7 and terms 1 & 2 grade 8 marks in English language arts, social studies, math and science from the local school report card/transcript are required. For applications to grades 10, 11 & 12 (fall admission), the average of the previous school year and terms 1 & 2 of the current school year marks in English language arts, social studies, math and science from the local school report card/transcript is required
• For applications to grade 9 (fall admission), the sum of grade 7 and terms 1 & 2 grade 8 unexcused absences from the local school report card/transcript are required
• For applications to grades 10, 11 & 12 (fall admission), the sum of the previous school year and terms 1 & 2 current school year unexcused absences from the local school report card/transcript is required
• For applications to grade 9 (fall admission), the average of grade 7 and terms 1 & 2 grade 8 assessments of behavior from the local school report card or from the local school Guidance Counselor’s assessment are required. For applications to grades 10, 11 & 12 (fall admission) the average of the previous school year and terms 1 & 2 of the current school year assessments of behavior from the local school report card or from the local school Guidance Counselor’s assessment are required
• For applications to grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 (fall admission), the local school Guidance Counselor’s recommendation is required
• Non-resident forms should be distributed to the Superintendent of the sending school district, and attached to the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s application. A copy remains in the sending district’s file after sign off by the local Superintendent

If incomplete applications are received, the following procedures will be followed:

• The Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s Admission Counselor will notify the local school’s Guidance Counselor that the application is incomplete and completion is requested
• The applicant’s parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s Admission Counselor in the event the problem is not resolved by the local school Guidance Counselor
• If after notifying the local school’s Guidance
• Counselor and parent(s)/guardian(s), the application remains incomplete for ten days, the application will be void

By April 1st the Guidance Counselor of the sending school must notify the office of the Superintendent of the sending school district, outside Northampton, of all students who have applied. The non-resident applications must be sent to the sending school’s Superintendent by the local school’s Guidance Counselor.

Transfer Students Students requesting to transfer into the ninth grade after the opening of school will be evaluated according to the same admission criteria as students entering the program at the beginning of the school year and will be accepted on a space available basis. Non-vocational program transfer students wishing to enter Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School may do so at the beginning of either the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade on a space available basis and must meet regular admission requirements.

Applications from students who are enrolled in a state-approved (Chapter 74) vocational/ technical high school program in another school (transfer students) will be considered for admission (including admission during the school year) if they relocate away from their current school and wish to pursue the same program of study at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. All transfer applicants must attend an interview with the Admission Counselor at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. If the applicant or parent(s)/guardian(s) cannot provide transportation to the interview, an official from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School will go to the local school to interview the applicant. Applications will be evaluated according to the provisions of this Admission Policy.

Students Who Withdraw
Students who withdraw from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and who are attending or not attending another high school may reapply to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School following the procedures contained in this Admission Policy. Students who withdraw will be evaluated using the criteria contained in this Admission Policy.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Completed applications are processed by the Admission Counselor using weighted admission criteria. Each applicant will be assigned a score derived from the sum of the sub scores of the following criteria:

A. Scholastic Achievement: Maximum 16 points

For applications to grade 9 (fall admission), the average of grade 7 and terms 1 & 2 grade 8 grades in English, social studies, mathematics and science from the local school report card/transcript are used. For applications to grades 10, 11 and 12 (fall admission), the average of the previous school year and terms 1 & 2 of the current school year marks in English, social studies, mathematics and science from the local school report card/transcript are used. For applications to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (admission during the school year) the current school year to the date of the application grades in English, social studies, mathematics and science from the local school report card/transcript are used.

Grade Averages	Points
90 - 100	4
80 - 89	3
70 - 79	2
60 - 69	1
0 - 59	0

A maximum of 4 points each for each core subject: English, social studies, mathematics and science from the local school report card/transcript are used.

B. School Attendance: Maximum 25 points

For applications to grade 9 (fall admission), the sum of grade 7 and terms 1 & 2 grade 8 unexcused absences from the local school report card/transcript are used. For applications to grades 10, 11 and 12 (fall admission) the sum of the previous school year and terms 1 & 2 current school year unexcused absences from the local school report card/transcript are used. For applications to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (admission during the school year) the current school year to the date of the application, unexcused absences from the local school report card/transcript is used.

*Number of Unexcused Absences	Points
0 - 3	25
4 - 7	15
8 - 11	10
12 - 15	5
Over 15	0

* unexcused absence: recorded when a student does not have a documented medical excuse.

C. School Discipline/Conduct: Maximum 25 points

For applications to grade 9 (fall admission), the average of grade 7 and terms 1 & 2 grade 8 assessments from the local school Guidance Counselor’s assessment are used. For applications to grades 10, 11 and 12 (fall admission) the average of the previous school year and terms 1 & 2 current school year assessments from the local school report card/transcript or from the Guidance Counselor’s assessment are used. For applications to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (admission during the school year) the current school year to the date of the application assessments from the local school report card/transcript or from the local school Guidance Counselor’s assessment are used.

Discipline/Conduct Rating	Points
0 Suspensions	25
1 - 2 Suspensions	20
3 - 5 Suspensions	10
6 - 10 Suspensions	5
Over 10 Suspensions	0

D. Sending School Guidance Counselor’s Recommendation: Maximum 9 points

Rating	Points
Excellent	9
Above Average	7 - 8
Average	5 - 6
Below Average	3 - 4
Poor	0 - 2

E. Interview: Maximum 25 points

Rating	Points
Very Strong	25
Average	15
Weak	5
Poor	0

All applicants receive the same questions and are rated in a uniform standard. The interview is intended to gain insight into the students’ motivation for applying to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and reasons for selecting a particular vocational/technical area.
Following the interview, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s Admission Counselor will complete the Interview Rating Sheet. Areas of consideration:

• Interest in Vocational/Technical Education
• Realism of a Vocational/Technical program
• Motivation to attend

After points are given in each area, the points are totaled for each applicant. A maximum total of one hundred (100) points can be earned.

1. After a point total for each resident applicant has been determined, all resident applicants are placed in order of their “point total” and town of residence. Resident applicants are then accepted in order of the point total they have achieved. The resident applicant with the highest point total is accepted first, the resident applicant with the second highest point total is accepted second, and so on until all seats are filled. All resident applicants are accepted, declined, or placed on a waiting list. If openings occur, the seats are filled by accepting resident applicants from the waiting list. These resident applicants, like those accepted earlier, are accepted in order of their place on the waiting list determined by the total points given according to the selection criteria.
2. Non-resident applicants are evaluated using the criteria in this Admission Policy and will be placed on the waiting list after the resident applicants. Non-resident applicants on the waiting list will only be accepted if all resident applicants on the waiting list have been accepted.
3. The Admission Counselor at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School will examine, discuss and select applicants. The Admission Counselor considers scholastic achievement, attendance, school behavior, interview and the sending school district Guidance Counselor’s recommendation. Applications are reviewed, processed and assigned points according to grade level. Selecting criteria for A – D will be done by the sending school district’s Guidance Counselor. Points assigned for criteria E (interview) will be done by the Admission Counselor of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School.

Selection Process
After a point total for each applicant, the applicant is ranked in order of his/her "point total" and town of residence. Non-resident applicants are then accepted in order of the point total they have achieved. The non-resident applicant with the highest point total is accepted first; the non-resident with the second highest point total is accepted second, and so on until the seats are filled. All non-resident applicants are accepted, declined, or placed on a waiting list. Non-resident applicants on the waiting list will only be accepted after Northampton applicants have been accepted. In the case of an excess number of applicants from a particular city/town, students will be notified of their placement on a waiting list by their sending city/town Guidance Counselor. They will be accepted in rank order from the waiting list of applicants from each city/town, as openings occur.

All accepted students must participate in a placement assessment prior to entrance to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School.

Enrollment and Conditional Enrollment
In order to enroll at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School for the fall, applicants must have been promoted to the grade they wish to enter by their local school district. In addition, for entrance to grade 9, the student must have passed courses in English language arts and mathematics for the school year immediately preceding his/her enrollment at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School.

Vocational/Technical Program Admission/Exploratory Programs
All ninth grade students who enroll in the fall at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School participate in a vocational/technical and agricultural exploratory program designed to help them learn about their talents and interests relative to a variety of vocational/technical and agricultural programs. Students initially explore each vocational/technical and agricultural shop for one day. Students then list their top four (4) exploratory choices and explore each of them for one week. Students are evaluated and scored (0-100 points) by each shop teacher during the exploratory week in each shop. At the end of this four (4) week exploratory period, each student selects his/her program of choice, as well as a second and third choice from the four (4) explored shops. Students are admitted into the shop of their choice based on the student’s exploratory grade rank in that shop. In a situation where two (2) or more students attained the same grade rank, attendance will be the determining factor.

Each shop teacher evaluates students during the week in each shop. They are evaluated and scored (total of 0-100 points) on shop grades received for the week (25 points), attendance (25 points), discipline/conduct (25 points) and recommendations from vocational technical instructors (25 points).

Students who wish to transfer from one shop to another shop during the school year may apply for a transfer. Transfer requests will be considered subject to the availability of openings as well as the waiting list in the available shops. Each transfer applicant will be interviewed and counseled individually to determine the appropriateness of the transfer for the particular student.

Review and Appeals
The applicant’s parent(s)/guardian(s), upon receipt of a letter from the Admission Counselor of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, indicating that the applicant was not accepted or was placed on a waiting list, may request a review of the decision by sending a letter requesting a review to the Admission Counselor within thirty days of the receipt of the letter. The Admission Counselor will respond in writing with the findings of the review within thirty days. If after the review, the parent(s)/guardian(s) wishes to appeal the findings of the review he/she may do so by sending a letter requesting that he/she be scheduled to appear before the Principal to appeal the Admission Counselor’s findings. The Principal will respond in writing with her decision on the appeal within thirty days of the meeting when the appeal was presented.

The applicant’s parent(s)/guardian(s), upon receipt of a letter from the Principal of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School indicating that the applicant was not accepted or placed on a waiting list for a particular shop program, may request a review of the decision by sending a letter requesting a review to the Superintendent within thirty days following the receipt of the letter from the Principal. The Superintendent will respond in writing to the letter with the findings of his review within thirty days.

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